February 20, 2006 - Hofstra 22 Rider 15
February 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Wrestling
Hofstra University 22, Rider University 15
LAWRENCEVILLE-The Broncs lost to 20th ranked Hofstra in the final dual meet of the regular season. "We asked the kids to go out and wrestle these people hard, and they did," said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. "Their eight guys are very solid."
For Rider (12-7-1, 7-1-1 CAA) sophomore TJ Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) upset the 20th ranked wrestler in the nation with a two-point take down with five seconds left in the match. "I think this was a breakthrough for TJ, as far as composure and confidence in himself" said Taylor. "I think this will help him for the (CAA) tournament."
"That was the first time I wrestled Weidman, and he was pretty good," said Morrison. "It looks like we’ll be on the same side of the bracket in the (CAA) tournament, so I’ll have to beat him again. That is the one that counts."
Sophomore Ryan Smith (Olmstead Falls, OH/Olmstead Falls) and sophomore Zack Cunliffe (Farmingdale/Howell) won by forfeit for Rider.
"Even though they gave us two weight classes, they’ve been beating a lot of good teams while giving up two weights like that because they have eight solid wrestlers," Taylor said. Hofstra has seven wrestlers ranked among the top 20 in the nation in their respective weight classes, although only six were in the line up Monday. "Hofstra is tough," said Morrison.
Rider freshman Mike Kessler (Randallstown, Md./Owings Mills) took the fifth ranked 149 in the nation into overtime. Kessler had a great performance against a two-time All-American," Taylor said. "That kid was third in the nation last year and is one of the best wrestlers in the country, and Mike was right there with him," said Taylor.
Hofstra extended its conference dual meet winning streak to 46-0-1. The last time Hofstra lost a dual meet to a conference opponent was to Rider on February 17, 1999.
Rider and Hofstra have now met 34 times since the series began in 1974, with Rider winning 16. Rider has captured 13 league titles and Hofstra has captured 13 league titles, including the last four CAA Championships. Rider finished runner-up in the CAA the last two years.
With the victory, Hofstra (11-8-1, 6-0 CAA) wins the CAA regular season title. "They’ve got a great group of kids this year," Taylor said.
Rider and Hofstra will compete in the Colonial Athletic Association Championships March 3-4 in Philadelphia at Drexel University. Rider has finished runner-up in the CAA to Hofstra the last two years. "All that matters is March," Morrison said. "I’m ready to go."
165 - Chris Vondruska-H major dec. Chris Marold-R 13-4 4-0
174 - Matt Patrovich-H dec. Doug Umbehauer-R 10-4 7-0
184 - Joe Rovelli-H dec. Joe Maroney-R 8-3 10-0
197 - T.J. Morrison-R dec. Chris Weidman-H 8-6 10-3
HWT - Jon Andriac-H dec. Nick Ciufo-R 7-1 13-3
125 - Ryan Smith-R win by forfeit 13-9
133 - Zach Cunliffe-R win by forfeit 13-15
141 - John Manarte-H dec. Mike Palma-R 4-3 16-15
149 - Jon Masa-H dec. Mike Kessler-R 10-8 ot 19-15
157 - James Strouse-H dec. Ryan Cunningham-R 6-0 22-15
